Aubrayo Franklin | Defensive Lineman | #97

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Former DT Aubrayo Franklin has joined the 49ers' coaching staff as an entry-level assistant.

Franklin, 34, last played in the NFL for the Colts in 2013, starting 15 games as the run-plugging nose tackle. He had his best days as a 49er from 2007-2010, and was even San Francisco's "franchise" player in 2010. New 49ers coach Jim Tomsula was Franklin's position coach in San Francisco. Wed, Jan 28, 2015 09:06:00 AM

Colts agreed to terms with NT Aubrayo Franklin, formerly of the Chargers.

The Colts' spending spree continues unabated. Indianapolis will be Franklin's fourth team in as many seasons. Franklin appeared in 12 games, starting nine, last year before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. A pure run stopper, he played just 285 snaps. That will be Franklin's role for the Colts, who are looking to improve a run defense that allowed 5.1 yards per carry in 2012. Tue, Mar 19, 2013 04:43:00 PM

Franklin played in 12 games for the Chargers last season, starting nine and registering 20 tackles. He was placed on injured reserve in Week 16 with a minor knee injury. Franklin can likely be had on another cheap one-year deal. Mon, Mar 11, 2013 08:57:00 PM

The Bolts could be nearing a record for IRed players. DBs Sean Cattouse and Greg Gatson were promoted from the practice squad in corresponding roster moves. Signed on the eve of training camp, Franklin appeared in 12 games, starting nine. The 32-year-old run stuffer graded out positively in Pro Football Focus' ratings. Provided he's healthy, Franklin shouldn't hurt for one-year offers this offseason. Wed, Dec 26, 2012 03:23:00 PM

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Colts agreed to terms with NT Aubrayo Franklin, formerly of the Chargers.

The Colts' spending spree continues unabated. Indianapolis will be Franklin's fourth team in as many seasons. Franklin appeared in 12 games, starting nine, last year before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. A pure run stopper, he played just 285 snaps. That will be Franklin's role for the Colts, who are looking to improve a run defense that allowed 5.1 yards per carry in 2012.

Franklin played in 12 games for the Chargers last season, starting nine and registering 20 tackles. He was placed on injured reserve in Week 16 with a minor knee injury. Franklin can likely be had on another cheap one-year deal.

The Bolts could be nearing a record for IRed players. DBs Sean Cattouse and Greg Gatson were promoted from the practice squad in corresponding roster moves. Signed on the eve of training camp, Franklin appeared in 12 games, starting nine. The 32-year-old run stuffer graded out positively in Pro Football Focus' ratings. Provided he's healthy, Franklin shouldn't hurt for one-year offers this offseason.

Chargers NT Aubrayo Franklin will "probably be out for a couple weeks" with a bone bruise in his knee.

Franklin was originally believed to have a foot injury. It's a big blow for the reeling Chargers, and should significantly weaken their No. 2 run defense. Playing under a one-year, $890,000 contract, Franklin has graded out as Pro Football Focus' 16th best defensive tackle with 10 weeks in the books.

Franklin, who turns 32 next month, flopped miserably in New Orleans' 4-3 scheme last year, but has always been better cut out to play nose tackle in a 3-4 like the Chargers'. San Diego fielded one of the softer front sevens in football a year ago, and the 320-pound Franklin adds another mammoth body behind Antonio Garay and Cam Thomas. If Franklin is in shape and motivated, he could push for a starting job.

The 49ers' franchise player in 2010, Franklin's play has declined in each of the past two seasons. Signing Franklin as a situational run-stuffer could allow the Seahawks to go linebacker or defensive line early in the draft.

The Chiefs are looking to shore up the league's 26th ranked run defense, and Franklin would presumably come cheap after playing just 296 snaps for the Saints last season. Five months shy of his 32nd birthday, Franklin hasn't lined up any visits since the start of free agency.

Saints NT Aubrayo Franklin suffered a sprained left MCL in Saturday's preseason loss to the Texans.

Franklin will all but certainly miss the remainder of the preseason and his status for Week 1 is in doubt. The good news is that Franklin -- Pro Football Focus' No. 2 run-stopping interior lineman in 2010 -- didn't suffer a serious injury. Still, this makes it more likely that he'll be a backup early in the year.

The rich get richer. Franklin's market was slow to develop for unknown reasons, but the 31-year-old adds a dominant early-down presence to a suddenly loaded New Orleans front seven. Pro Football Focus graded Franklin as the No. 2 run-stopping interior lineman in football last season, and he was the anchor for a 49ers defense that allowed the fewest yards per carry (3.46) in the NFC. We're red-flagging the Saints' defense for fantasy running back matchups.

Franklin has played for the Niners for four years, but he may want to get a better read on the new coaching staff. The best nose tackle on the market has surprisingly received little known interest, so a reunion with San Fran is now possible.

The 49ers have no plans to re-sign NT Aubrayo Franklin or OLB Manny Lawson.

Both have been greeted by seemingly soft markets, but it doesn't appear the 49ers are going to swoop in and try to re-sign either to bargain-basement deals. Franklin should still be in line for a nice payday.

The deal includes $4.1 million guaranteed. Coyle is about midway through his recovery from major shoulder surgery, but the 49ers were confident enough in his health to bring him back. Coyle was a liability at weak-side linebacker last season, but the Niners clearly value his presence. Ideally, he will be a reserve. He turns 28 in October.

The only guaranteed portion of Richard Sherman's three-year, $39 million contract is his $3 million signing bonus.

Sherman has been representing himself, so this contract is sure to be criticized by the agent community. So if Sherman doesn't recover smoothly from his Achilles' surgeries, the 49ers could conceivably release him before the season and be on the hook for only $3 million. Sherman also agreed to turn $6 million of his total potential earnings into per-game roster bonuses, paid only if Sherman is on the active, game-day roster. It's an incredibly team-friendly deal.